COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

This position oversees the Communication’s Department for Cobb County Government.

This is a Key Managerial and Unclassified position.

Salary

$72,217.60 – $117,416.00 per year

Essential Duties

Designs and implements major advertising and news media campaigns and strategies, and other public relations projects.

Develops and monitors use of the corporate identification program or unique selling proposition ( USP ).

Provides all external communications between the Cobb County government and the community including selecting, establishing and assessing marketing initiatives, public relations objectives, crisis communications, and community-wide events in conjunction with state and federal governments, and business and civic associations.

Manages the County’s television channel (TV23), public relations, e-commerce, external web site operations, and switchboard operations.

Performs personnel management functions, e.g., interview, selection, hiring, employee development, disciplinary action, recommending promotion, performance evaluations.

Develops policies and procedures governing the release of information to the news media, and for all Internet communications such as e-commerce, web page information, and department-specific web resources including handling requests for open record requests.

Serves as Joint Information Center Commander for Cobb Emergency Management Agency responsible for establishing operational policies, protocol, and mass media communications during disaster drills and emergencies, and communications between 14 external agencies.

Designs training programs and materials for department directors and public information personnel to assist them in dealing with media inquiries.

Consults and advises departmental directors and elected officials on marketing and publicity programs, and implements programs with management’s input and guidance.

Manages all departmental budgetary activities; develops policies, short term and long term plans, goals, and procedures for the department.

Establishes and maintains professional relationships with radio, print and television media outlets.

Negotiates, monitors and defines countywide cable television provider’s activities and franchises that serve county residents and businesses.

Plans and implements short-term or annual goals, objectives, and strategies for the department to ensure efficient organization and completion of work.

Confers with upper management to keep them informed on key issues and progress toward objectives and to gain their support and approval; makes recommendations to assist management in making needed improvements.

Performs special assignments as requested, to include researching and preparing reports and projects, developing and implementing programs, and presenting technical data to management, elected officials, and others.

Maintains current knowledge of industry, regulatory and legislative developments affecting public communications to ensure application to responsibilities under charge.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Journalism, English, Communications, Marketing, Public Administration or a related field; supplemented by seven years of progressively responsible experience in the field, the majority of which shall be acquired in a management capacity with budgetary, policy, and procedural administration responsibilities and accountability; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working with a government agency.

Physical Requirements

While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to handle, or feel; and lift and/or move up to 10 to 20 pounds. While performing the essential functions of this position the employee is rarely exposed to disagreeable environmental factors.